EP2317165B1 - Control cable arrangement with device for automatic tension adjustment - Google Patents
Control cable arrangement with device for automatic tension adjustment Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2317165B1 EP2317165B1 EP10013755.3A EP10013755A EP2317165B1 EP 2317165 B1 EP2317165 B1 EP 2317165B1 EP 10013755 A EP10013755 A EP 10013755A EP 2317165 B1 EP2317165 B1 EP 2317165B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- control cable
- sliding element
- container
- arrangement according
- cable arrangement
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Not-in-force
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Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
- F16C1/00—Flexible shafts; Mechanical means for transmitting movement in a flexible sheathing
- F16C1/10—Means for transmitting linear movement in a flexible sheathing, e.g. "Bowden-mechanisms"
- F16C1/22—Adjusting; Compensating length
- F16C1/226—Adjusting; Compensating length by adjusting the effective length of the sheathing
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
- F16C1/00—Flexible shafts; Mechanical means for transmitting movement in a flexible sheathing
- F16C1/26—Construction of guiding-sheathings or guiding-tubes
- F16C1/262—End fittings; Attachment thereof to the sheathing or tube
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
- F16C2361/00—Apparatus or articles in engineering in general
- F16C2361/43—Clutches, e.g. disengaging bearing
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
- F16C2361/00—Apparatus or articles in engineering in general
- F16C2361/45—Brakes
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T74/00—Machine element or mechanism
- Y10T74/20—Control lever and linkage systems
- Y10T74/20396—Hand operated
- Y10T74/20402—Flexible transmitter [e.g., Bowden cable]
- Y10T74/20408—Constant tension sustaining
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T74/00—Machine element or mechanism
- Y10T74/20—Control lever and linkage systems
- Y10T74/20396—Hand operated
- Y10T74/20402—Flexible transmitter [e.g., Bowden cable]
- Y10T74/2045—Flexible transmitter [e.g., Bowden cable] and sheath support, connector, or anchor
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a device for automatic adjustment of tension applied to a control cable, more particularly a tension adjusting device that can automatically eliminate any loosening or slack occurring in a control cable and automatically restore proper tension.
- Such loosening may occur, for instance, due to permanent elongation of the wire or due to a change in the size of the devices to be controlled such as clutch units or the like.
- Control cables are widely used for remote control of equipment. These cables substantially include a flexible conduit and a flexible inner wire, e.g. consisting of a wire strand, that can slide within the conduit.
- One end of the inner wire is connected, for instance, to an actuating device such as a lever or the like and the other end of the inner wire is connected to equipment to be controlled, such as a clutch unit or a brake unit.
- the inner wire comprises a wire strand and is repeatedly subjected to tension by heavy loads applied by the actuator to the equipment to be controlled, gradual permanent elongation of the wire occurs, which reduces the applied tension and does not allow accurate transmission of the actuating force.
- control cable has the flexible conduit mounted to two fixed ends and the inner wire, generally longer than the conduit, is attached at one end to the actuator and at the opposite end to the controlled equipment.
- said opposite end is connected to a movable member of the controlled equipment, which in turn transfers the actuating force to the equipment.
- control cable generally designated by numeral 1
- the control cable comprises a conduit 2 and an inner wire 3 sliding within said conduit.
- the conduit 2 is attached at its ends to two fixed abutments 4 and 5 located in the proximity of the actuator 6 and the equipment to be controlled 7 respectively.
- the inner wire 3 is generally longer than the conduit 2 so that its two ends are exposed and may be attached at one end to the actuator 6, which is generally shown as a pedal 8, e.g. a clutch pedal, and at the opposite end to the movable member of the equipment to be controlled, which is generally shown as a lever 9 that engages and disengages a clutch unit.
- a pedal 8 e.g. a clutch pedal
- a lever 9 that engages and disengages a clutch unit.
- lever 9 which is subjected to the action of an elastic return member that tends to maintain the lever in the engaging position, causes the control cable to be preloaded and pretensioned.
- the change in the size of the clutch disk causes the disengaging position (or idle position) of the lever 9 to be displaced.
- this displacement of the lever 9 reduces the length of the exposed portion of the wire 3 between the fixed abutment 5 and the lever 9 and on the other it increases the length of the wire portion 3 between said abutment 5 and the actuator 6.
- conduit 2 is extended by a portion corresponding to the elongation of the inner wire 3 between the abutment 5 and the actuator 6.
- the slack of the actuator 6 may be taken up, and the actuator will be able to operate with its full useful stroke.
- These devices may be manual or automatic devices.
- the former may be, for instance, screw mechanisms interposed between one of the two fixed abutments 4 or 5 and one of the ends of the conduit 2. These mechanisms essentially consist of adjustment screws of various shapes whose rotation changes their length between one end of the conduit 2 and one of the fixed abutments.
- the devices so conformed substantially act as a movable appendix of the conduit 2 and simulate lengthening or shortening of the conduit.
- These devices generally include two sliding parts in mutual axial sliding relation, which have the wire 3 and means for allowing and preventing such mutual axial translation of the two parts inserted therein.
- Devices with such configuration may be located in the proximity of one of the two fixed abutments 4 and 5, or between two portions of the conduit 2.
- these means that lock and unlock the relative translation of the two parts consist, for instance, of expansion members that internally or externally engage one of the two sliding parts.
- these expansion members and these sliding parts may be formed with mating shaped surfaces, to facilitate mutual engagement, i.e. locking of the two parts.
- the device can have an automatic operation, i.e. gradually change its length according to the elongation of the portion of the wire 3, caused by the wear of the equipment to be controlled.
- the translation of the parts may occur with steps corresponding to the thread pitch.
- the object of the present invention is to provide a device for automatic adjustment of the tension applied to a control cable, that can obviate the above mentioned prior art drawbacks.
- the object of the invention is to provide a device for automatic adjustment of the tension applied to a control cable for controlling equipment such as clutch units or brake devices, that can take up slacks or loosening, caused by the wear of said equipment, in a continuous manner.
- a further object of the present invention is to provide a device for automatic adjustment of the tension applied to a control cable, that is not prone to malfunctioning during operation.
- a device for automatic adjustment of the tension applied to a control cable that comprises the technical features as set out in one or more of the annexed claims.
- the device for automatic adjustment of tension applied to a control able which is generally designated by numeral 10, may be located at one end of a conduit 12 of a control cable 11 or between two portions of said conduit 12.
- a wire 13 is inserted in the device 10 and is allowed to freely slide therein.
- Such device 10 generally comprises an outer shell 14 which is in turn composed of two facing half-shells 15 and 16, attached to each other by known locking means.
- First and second sliding elements 17 and 18 are housed in said shell and are allowed axial translation relative to said shell 14.
- the half shell 15 has a projecting portion 19, adapted to support the sliding element 17, partially inserted in said half-shell 15; said element 17 preferably consists of a hollow circular element such as a tube or the like.
- such tube 17 has a corrugation 32 on the outer surface, which is designed to mate with a corresponding corrugation formed on the inner surface of the projecting portion 19 of the half-shell 15, to guide translation of said tube 17 relative to the half-shell 15.
- the half-shell 16 has a projecting portion 20 for supporting the sliding element 18 and a conduit portion 12; namely, said sliding element 18 comprises a slider 21 which slides in said portion 20 of the half-shell 16, and a tube 22 attached to said slider 21, which is in turn partially inserted in the tube 17.
- the tube 17 has a plurality of apertures 24 on its outer wall 23, in radial equally spaced arrangement with respect to the sliding axis, each of said aperture housing one ball 25 whose diameter is considerably greater than the thickness of the wall 23 of the tube 17, and which project therefrom both externally and internally.
- the tube 17 has at least three apertures 24 in a 120° spaced arrangement, as shown in Figure 3 .
- the tube 22 has a series of parallel longitudinal grooves 26 on its outer surface, which are as many as the apertures 24 of the tube 17.
- These grooves have a semicircular profile, with a radius that is substantially identical to the radius of the ball 25 housed in each aperture 24.
- the half-shell 15 also houses a bushing 27, whose inside diameter is slightly larger than the outside diameter of the tube 17, which is arranged around said tube 17 at the apertures 24.
- a plurality of tracks 28 are formed on the inner surface of said bushing 27, and are inclined to the axis of translation of the elements 17 and 22.
- both these tracks 28 and the grooves 26 of the tube have a semicircular profile with a radius substantially identical to the radius of the balls 25 in the apertures 24 and are as many as the apertures 24 of the tube 17.
- the bushing 27 is mounted in the half-shell 15 so that the tracks 28 are in converging positions when run from right to left (referring to the arrangement of Figure 2 ).
- a first elastic element 29 is inserted in the shell 14; namely this elastic element 29, e.g. a helical spring, is interposed between the half-shell 16 and the tube 17 and exerts an elastic force on said tube 17 by pushing it to the left (referring to the arrangement of Figure 2 ) into a device locking position.
- this elastic element 29 e.g. a helical spring
- a second elastic element 30, e.g. a helical spring, is interposed between an outer surface of the half-shell 16 and a plate 31 integrally attached to the conduit 12 of the wire 13 which is in turn connected to the tube 22.
- This elastic element 30 exerts an elastic force that tends to pull the conduit 12 and the tube 22 to the right (referring to the arrangement of Figure 2 ) to an unlocking position.
- control cable 11 When the control cable 11 is in an optimal operating state, with no slack or loosening, its operating configuration is as shown in Figure 2 .
- the length of the wire 13 between the two fixed abutments 4 and 5 substantially coincides with the sum of the total lengths of the conduit/s 12 and the adjustment device 10.
- the tube 17 is pushed to the left (referring to the arrangement of Figure 2 ) by the elastic element 29 into a locking position.
- This locking position is achieved due to the conformation of the inclined tracks 28 of the bushing 27.
- the system ensures that tension is maintained in the control cable, and prevents any reduction of the total length of the conduit/s 12 and the adjustment device 10.
- the device In order to restore proper tension in said control cable, the device operates as described below.
- the length of the wire 13 between the two fixed abutments 4 and 5 is longer than the sum of the lengths of the conduit/s 12 and the adjustment device 10.
- the elastic element 30 which, as mentioned above, exerts an elastic force that tends to pull the conduit 12 and the tube 22 to the right (referring to the arrangement of Figure 2 ) causes the conduit 12 and the tube 22 to actually translate to the right.
- the tube 22 is automatically unlocked because, as it moves to the right, it rotates the balls 25 to a position in which the space between the seats 26 of the tube 22 and the tracks 28 is larger than the diameter of these balls 25.
- the tube 22 slides to the left within the tube 17 and causes a portion of the conduit 12 substantially equal to the excess portion of the wire 13 between the two fixed abutments 4 and 5 to project out of the half-shell 16.
- the present invention can solve prior art drawbacks and provide a device for automatic adjustment of tension applied to a control cable that can take up the slack and loosening in a continuous manner, for the cable to always operate with the proper working tension.
- the device of the invention has a simple operation, that ensures reliability and prevents the frequent jamming events of prior art devices.
- the device for automatic adjustment of tension applied to a control cable as disclosed above is susceptible to a number of changes and variants as long they remain within the scope of the appended claims.
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- Flexible Shafts (AREA)
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Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to a device for automatic adjustment of tension applied to a control cable, more particularly a tension adjusting device that can automatically eliminate any loosening or slack occurring in a control cable and automatically restore proper tension.
- Such loosening may occur, for instance, due to permanent elongation of the wire or due to a change in the size of the devices to be controlled such as clutch units or the like.
- Document
US 4, 420, 988 A discloses a control cable arrangement according to the preamble ofclaim 1. - Control cables are widely used for remote control of equipment. These cables substantially include a flexible conduit and a flexible inner wire, e.g. consisting of a wire strand, that can slide within the conduit.
- One end of the inner wire is connected, for instance, to an actuating device such as a lever or the like and the other end of the inner wire is connected to equipment to be controlled, such as a clutch unit or a brake unit.
- In this configuration, the tension load applied to one end of the inner wire by the actuator is transmitted to the equipment to be controlled through the other end of the inner wire.
- Nevertheless, when the inner wire comprises a wire strand and is repeatedly subjected to tension by heavy loads applied by the actuator to the equipment to be controlled, gradual permanent elongation of the wire occurs, which reduces the applied tension and does not allow accurate transmission of the actuating force.
- Particularly, when the equipment to be controlled is, for instance, a clutch unit or a brake unit, the control cable has the flexible conduit mounted to two fixed ends and the inner wire, generally longer than the conduit, is attached at one end to the actuator and at the opposite end to the controlled equipment.
- More in detail, said opposite end is connected to a movable member of the controlled equipment, which in turn transfers the actuating force to the equipment.
- One example of a configuration as described above is shown in the annexed
Figure 1 . - Referring to
Figure 1 , the control cable, generally designated bynumeral 1, comprises aconduit 2 and aninner wire 3 sliding within said conduit. - The
conduit 2 is attached at its ends to two fixedabutments actuator 6 and the equipment to be controlled 7 respectively. - However, the
inner wire 3 is generally longer than theconduit 2 so that its two ends are exposed and may be attached at one end to theactuator 6, which is generally shown as apedal 8, e.g. a clutch pedal, and at the opposite end to the movable member of the equipment to be controlled, which is generally shown as alever 9 that engages and disengages a clutch unit. - Furthermore, the
lever 9, which is subjected to the action of an elastic return member that tends to maintain the lever in the engaging position, causes the control cable to be preloaded and pretensioned. - Nevertheless, this configuration of use of the control cable has certain drawbacks.
- Extensive use of equipment such as clutch units and brake devices causes gradual wear thereof, which results in a change of the size of friction members.
- For example, in the example of
Figure 1 , the change in the size of the clutch disk causes the disengaging position (or idle position) of thelever 9 to be displaced. - On the one hand this displacement of the
lever 9 reduces the length of the exposed portion of thewire 3 between thefixed abutment 5 and thelever 9 and on the other it increases the length of thewire portion 3 between saidabutment 5 and theactuator 6. - In other words, the elongation of the
wire portion 3 between theabutment 5 and theactuator 6 generates some slack on theactuator 6, which results in a change in the useful actuation stroke and in the tension on the control cable. - A simple manner to obviate this problem, i.e. to restore the proper tension in the control cable, is to change the length of the
conduit 2 between the two abutments. - More in detail, the
conduit 2 is extended by a portion corresponding to the elongation of theinner wire 3 between theabutment 5 and theactuator 6. - Thus, the slack of the
actuator 6 may be taken up, and the actuator will be able to operate with its full useful stroke. - Devices for adjusting the tension of a control cable as described above are already known.
- These devices may be manual or automatic devices.
- The former may be, for instance, screw mechanisms interposed between one of the two fixed
abutments conduit 2. These mechanisms essentially consist of adjustment screws of various shapes whose rotation changes their length between one end of theconduit 2 and one of the fixed abutments. - The devices so conformed substantially act as a movable appendix of the
conduit 2 and simulate lengthening or shortening of the conduit. - With these devices, the work to take up the slack and restore proper tension in the cable must be done manually each time that the slack generated by the wear of the equipment starts to cause malfunctioning of the actuator, and hence such work is rather laborious.
- Conversely, automatic devices interposed between the two fixed
abutments conduit 2 and restore proper tension in the control cable without requiring any manual action. - These devices generally include two sliding parts in mutual axial sliding relation, which have the
wire 3 and means for allowing and preventing such mutual axial translation of the two parts inserted therein. - Devices with such configuration may be located in the proximity of one of the two fixed
abutments conduit 2. - In both cases, a change in the relative position of the two parts of the device simulates a change in the total length of the
conduit 2 between saidfixed abutments - In a known embodiment, these means that lock and unlock the relative translation of the two parts consist, for instance, of expansion members that internally or externally engage one of the two sliding parts.
- More in detail, these expansion members and these sliding parts may be formed with mating shaped surfaces, to facilitate mutual engagement, i.e. locking of the two parts.
- With the help of elastic elements operating on the two sliding parts, the device can have an automatic operation, i.e. gradually change its length according to the elongation of the portion of the
wire 3, caused by the wear of the equipment to be controlled. - Nevertheless, automatic devices of this type suffer from certain operation drawbacks.
- The specially shaped coupling surfaces as described above only allow discrete, non continuous translation of the two parts.
- For example, if these surfaces consist of threaded elements, the translation of the parts may occur with steps corresponding to the thread pitch.
- Also, due to the conformation of these specially shaped surfaces, these devices are prone to malfunctioning events caused by jamming of these coupling surfaces.
- In this context, the object of the present invention is to provide a device for automatic adjustment of the tension applied to a control cable, that can obviate the above mentioned prior art drawbacks.
- Particularly, the object of the invention is to provide a device for automatic adjustment of the tension applied to a control cable for controlling equipment such as clutch units or brake devices, that can take up slacks or loosening, caused by the wear of said equipment, in a continuous manner.
- A further object of the present invention is to provide a device for automatic adjustment of the tension applied to a control cable, that is not prone to malfunctioning during operation.
- The above objects are substantially fulfilled by a device for automatic adjustment of the tension applied to a control cable, that comprises the technical features as set out in one or more of the annexed claims.
- Further features and advantages will result more clearly from the illustrative, non limiting description of a preferred embodiment that does not limit the invention, as shown in the annexed figures, in which:
-
Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross sectional view of a device for automatic adjustment of tension applied to a control cable of the invention; -
Figure 3 is a cross sectional view of the device ofFigure 2 according to the invention; -
Figure 4 is a perspective exploded view of the device ofFigure 2 according to the invention; -
Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view of an example of use of the device ofFigure 2 , applied to a control cable. - Referring to the annexed figures, the device for automatic adjustment of tension applied to a control able, which is generally designated by
numeral 10, may be located at one end of aconduit 12 of acontrol cable 11 or between two portions of saidconduit 12. - A
wire 13 is inserted in thedevice 10 and is allowed to freely slide therein. -
Such device 10 generally comprises anouter shell 14 which is in turn composed of two facing half-shells - First and second sliding
elements shell 14. - More in detail, the
half shell 15 has a projectingportion 19, adapted to support thesliding element 17, partially inserted in said half-shell 15; saidelement 17 preferably consists of a hollow circular element such as a tube or the like. - More particularly,
such tube 17 has acorrugation 32 on the outer surface, which is designed to mate with a corresponding corrugation formed on the inner surface of the projectingportion 19 of the half-shell 15, to guide translation ofsaid tube 17 relative to the half-shell 15. - Likewise, the half-
shell 16 has a projectingportion 20 for supporting thesliding element 18 and aconduit portion 12; namely, said slidingelement 18 comprises aslider 21 which slides in saidportion 20 of the half-shell 16, and atube 22 attached to saidslider 21, which is in turn partially inserted in thetube 17. - The
tube 17 has a plurality ofapertures 24 on itsouter wall 23, in radial equally spaced arrangement with respect to the sliding axis, each of said aperture housing oneball 25 whose diameter is considerably greater than the thickness of thewall 23 of thetube 17, and which project therefrom both externally and internally. - Preferably, according to the invention, the
tube 17 has at least threeapertures 24 in a 120° spaced arrangement, as shown inFigure 3 . - The
tube 22 has a series of parallellongitudinal grooves 26 on its outer surface, which are as many as theapertures 24 of thetube 17. - These grooves have a semicircular profile, with a radius that is substantially identical to the radius of the
ball 25 housed in eachaperture 24. - The half-
shell 15 also houses a bushing 27, whose inside diameter is slightly larger than the outside diameter of thetube 17, which is arranged around saidtube 17 at theapertures 24. - A plurality of
tracks 28 are formed on the inner surface of said bushing 27, and are inclined to the axis of translation of theelements - More in detail, both these
tracks 28 and thegrooves 26 of the tube have a semicircular profile with a radius substantially identical to the radius of theballs 25 in theapertures 24 and are as many as theapertures 24 of thetube 17. - The
bushing 27 is mounted in the half-shell 15 so that thetracks 28 are in converging positions when run from right to left (referring to the arrangement ofFigure 2 ). - A first
elastic element 29 is inserted in theshell 14; namely thiselastic element 29, e.g. a helical spring, is interposed between the half-shell 16 and thetube 17 and exerts an elastic force on saidtube 17 by pushing it to the left (referring to the arrangement ofFigure 2 ) into a device locking position. - This device locking position is better visible in the detail of
Figure 2 . - A second
elastic element 30, e.g. a helical spring, is interposed between an outer surface of the half-shell 16 and aplate 31 integrally attached to theconduit 12 of thewire 13 which is in turn connected to thetube 22. - This
elastic element 30 exerts an elastic force that tends to pull theconduit 12 and thetube 22 to the right (referring to the arrangement ofFigure 2 ) to an unlocking position. - When the
control cable 11 is in an optimal operating state, with no slack or loosening, its operating configuration is as shown inFigure 2 . - In this configuration, the length of the
wire 13 between the two fixedabutments adjustment device 10. - Namely, in this configuration, the
tube 17 is pushed to the left (referring to the arrangement ofFigure 2 ) by theelastic element 29 into a locking position. - This locking position is achieved due to the conformation of the
inclined tracks 28 of thebushing 27. - In this position, the space between the
seats 26 of thetube 22 and thetracks 28 is substantially equal to the diameter of theballs 25; no translation is thus allowed to the left of thetube 22, as this would also cause rotation of theballs 25 in thetube 17 toward an area in which the space between theseats 26 of thetube 22 and thetracks 28 would be smaller than the diameter of theballs 25. - Thus, the system ensures that tension is maintained in the control cable, and prevents any reduction of the total length of the conduit/s 12 and the
adjustment device 10. - The
elastic element 30 operating on theplate 31, that would tend to pull theconduit 12 to the right (referring to the arrangement ofFigure 2 ), will conversely create a preload on the cable, corresponding to the proper working tension, the length of thewire portion 13 between the twoabutments - Upon gradual wear of the device to be controlled, such as a clutch or the like, if the operating position of the
actuating lever 9 changes (as shown inFig. 5 ), the portion of thewire 13 between the two fixedabutments - In order to restore proper tension in said control cable, the device operates as described below.
- Under these conditions, the length of the
wire 13 between the two fixedabutments adjustment device 10. - Here, the
elastic element 30 which, as mentioned above, exerts an elastic force that tends to pull theconduit 12 and thetube 22 to the right (referring to the arrangement ofFigure 2 ) causes theconduit 12 and thetube 22 to actually translate to the right. - Then, the
tube 22 is automatically unlocked because, as it moves to the right, it rotates theballs 25 to a position in which the space between theseats 26 of thetube 22 and thetracks 28 is larger than the diameter of theseballs 25. - Therefore, the
tube 22 slides to the left within thetube 17 and causes a portion of theconduit 12 substantially equal to the excess portion of thewire 13 between the two fixedabutments shell 16. - When the length of the
wire 13 between the two fixedabutments adjustment device 10, thetube 22 will stop and theelastic element 29 will move the balls back to the locking position. - Therefore, the present invention can solve prior art drawbacks and provide a device for automatic adjustment of tension applied to a control cable that can take up the slack and loosening in a continuous manner, for the cable to always operate with the proper working tension.
- Furthermore, the device of the invention has a simple operation, that ensures reliability and prevents the frequent jamming events of prior art devices.
- The device for automatic adjustment of tension applied to a control cable as disclosed above is susceptible to a number of changes and variants as long they remain within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims (13)
- Control cable arrangement comprising- a control cable (11) including a duct (12), a plate (31) integrally attached to the duct and a wire (13) inserted in the duct (12); and- a device (10) for the automatic adjustment of the tension applied to the control cable (11), wherein the wire (13) is also inserted in the device (10),the device (10) comprising- a container element (14, 15, 16);- a first sliding element (17), in the form of a tube, adapted to slide inside said container element (14);- a second sliding element (18, 21, 22), in the form of a tube, adapted to slide inside said first sliding element (17) and connected to the duct (12) of said control cable (13); and- means adapted to constrain the translation of said first and second sliding elements (17, 18) inside the container (14, 15, 16),wherein said means include at least a sphere (25) housed in a seating (24), in the form of an aperture, obtained in the first sliding element (17), said sphere (25) presenting at least a lower portion in contact with said second sliding element (18, 22) and at least an upper portion which gets in contact with a track (28) formed inside said container (14), said track (28) being inclined to the axis of translation of said first (17) an second (18, 22) sliding elements,
wherein there are provided first elastic means (29), in the form of a helical spring, operating on the first sliding element (17) in order to push it so as to maintain the device in a lock position in which the sphere (25) gets in contact with said track (28), and second elastic means (30), in the form of a helical spring, operating on the second sliding element (18) in order to push it so as to bring the device in an unlock position in which said sphere (25) is not in contact with said track (28) formed in the container (14), with said second elastic means (30) being interposed between the container (16) and the plate (31)
characterised in that said second sliding element (22) has on its outer surface a longitudinal groove (26), for housing said lower portion of said sphere (25), having a semicircular profile with a radius substantially identical to the radius of the sphere (25) housed in said aperture (24), wherein the wire (13) is allowed to freely slide within the device (10),
wherein said first (29) and second (30) elastic means are configured to hold said sphere (25) normally into engagement at its upper portion with said track (28), with the second sliding element (22) locked and the device in the lock position, and
wherein, upon gradual wear of the equipment (7) to be controlled and actuated by the control cable of the device and consequent change of the tension in the same control cable (13), the second elastic means (30) are suitable for exerting an elastic force that tends to disengage the sphere (25) from said track (28) and thereby to unlock the second sliding element (22) and bring the device from the lock position to the unlock position,
whereby, with the device in the unlock position, the second sliding element (22) slides within the first sliding element (17) so as to cause a portion of the duct (12) to project out of the container (14, 16) and in this way restore automatically proper tension in the control cable at any gradual wear of the equipment (7) to be controlled and actuated by the control cable (13) of the device. - Control cable arrangement according to claim 1, characterised in that it provides at least for two spheres (25).
- Control cable arrangement according to claim 1, characterised in that it provides at least for three spheres (25).
- Control cable arrangement according to claim 1, characterised in that the said first sliding element (17) includes a small pipe (17) on whose exterior wall (23) are opened a multitude of holes (24) placed radially with reference to the sliding axis and placed at the same distance one from the other, inside of the said holes housing as many spheres (25).
- Control cable arrangement according to claim 1, characterised in that the said second sliding element (18) comprises a small pipe (22) and a cursor (21) which serves as a link between said small pipe with the duct (12) of the control cable (13).
- Control cable arrangement according to claim 1 and 5, characterised in that said second sliding element (18) is shaped in order to provide in the contact area with the spheres (25) the same number of longitudinal grooves (26) with a radius substantially identical to the radius of the spheres (25).
- Control cable arrangement according to any of the previous claims, characterised by the fact that said container (14) in the zone of contact with the spheres (25) is shaped in such a manner to define the same number of inclined tracks (28).
- Control cable arrangement according to any of the previous claims, characterised by the fact that the said tracks (28) are obtained in an inner surface of a bushing (27) housed inside said container (14).
- Control cable arrangement according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that the said first elastic means (29) is an helical spring placed inside of the said container (14) and placed between the said first sliding element (17) and an inner wall of the said container (14).
- Control cable arrangement according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that the said second elastic means (30) is an helical spring placed between an outer wall of the container (14) and a plate (31) solidly mounted to the duct (12) of the control cable.
- Control cable arrangement according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that the said container is formed by a first half-shell (15) and by a second half-shell (16) the said half-shells (15, 16) being one in front of the other and locked together axially.
- Control cable arrangement according to claim 11, characterised by the fact that the said first half-shell (15) presents a projecting section (19), the said first sliding element (17) presenting on the outer surface a corrugation (32) apt to be coupled to a corresponding corrugation obtained on the inner surface of the said projecting section (19) of the half-shell.
- Control cable arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said upper portion of the sphere (25) gets in contact at a point with a bottom side of said track (28) inclined to the axis of translation of said first (17) an second (18, 22) sliding elements.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PL10013755T PL2317165T3 (en) | 2009-10-29 | 2010-10-19 | Control cable arrangement with device for automatic tension adjustment |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
ITMI2009A001888A IT1396378B1 (en) | 2009-10-29 | 2009-10-29 | DEVICE FOR THE AUTOMATIC ADJUSTMENT OF THE VOLTAGE APPLIED TO A CONTROL CABLE. |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2317165A1 EP2317165A1 (en) | 2011-05-04 |
EP2317165B1 true EP2317165B1 (en) | 2013-12-18 |
Family
ID=42115707
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP10013755.3A Not-in-force EP2317165B1 (en) | 2009-10-29 | 2010-10-19 | Control cable arrangement with device for automatic tension adjustment |
Country Status (10)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US8671797B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2317165B1 (en) |
AR (1) | AR079105A1 (en) |
BR (1) | BRPI1004162A2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2719480A1 (en) |
CL (1) | CL2010001184A1 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2453044T3 (en) |
IT (1) | IT1396378B1 (en) |
MX (1) | MX2010011702A (en) |
PL (1) | PL2317165T3 (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
ES2397445B1 (en) * | 2011-07-27 | 2014-06-20 | Melchor Daumal Castellon | AUTOMATIC DEVICE FOR THE REGULATION OF CABLE LENGTH IN REMOTE CONTROL MECHANISMS. |
DE102013008405A1 (en) * | 2013-05-17 | 2014-11-20 | Wieland Electric Gmbh | Cable gland |
WO2017079446A1 (en) | 2015-11-03 | 2017-05-11 | Schlage Lock Company Llc | Adjustable length cable |
Family Cites Families (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2957354A (en) * | 1958-02-21 | 1960-10-25 | Avro Aircraft Ltd | Mechanical actuating device |
US4141117A (en) * | 1977-06-09 | 1979-02-27 | Brammall, Inc. | Releasing tool for use with a releasable cone lock |
FR2470994A1 (en) * | 1979-12-07 | 1981-06-12 | Dba | MECHANICAL CONTROL BY AXIAL SLIDING CABLE IN A FLEXIBLE SHEATH |
FR2500896A1 (en) * | 1981-02-27 | 1982-09-03 | Dba | FIXING DEVICE ON A WALL OF THE END OF A SHEET IN WHICH A CONTROL CABLE IS SLIDED |
FR2573158B1 (en) * | 1984-11-14 | 1987-01-23 | Bendix France | MECHANICAL CONTROL DEVICE WITH SELF-ADJUSTING CABLE |
DE3830672A1 (en) * | 1988-09-09 | 1990-03-15 | Kuester & Co Gmbh | Bowden control with automatic length compensation |
US5467619A (en) * | 1989-03-22 | 1995-11-21 | Star Lock Systems, Inc. | Post latching systems |
FR2658878B1 (en) * | 1990-02-26 | 1992-04-17 | Valeo | DEVICE FOR QUICK CONNECTION BETWEEN TWO PORTIONS OF A WHEELHOUSE, ESPECIALLY FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE. |
US6093892A (en) * | 1998-08-03 | 2000-07-25 | Hi-Lex Corporation | Conduit end fitting with automatic length adjustment |
-
2009
- 2009-10-29 IT ITMI2009A001888A patent/IT1396378B1/en active
-
2010
- 2010-10-19 PL PL10013755T patent/PL2317165T3/en unknown
- 2010-10-19 ES ES10013755.3T patent/ES2453044T3/en active Active
- 2010-10-19 EP EP10013755.3A patent/EP2317165B1/en not_active Not-in-force
- 2010-10-20 US US12/908,278 patent/US8671797B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2010-10-25 MX MX2010011702A patent/MX2010011702A/en active IP Right Grant
- 2010-10-25 CA CA2719480A patent/CA2719480A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2010-10-27 BR BRPI1004162-1A patent/BRPI1004162A2/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2010-10-28 CL CL2010001184A patent/CL2010001184A1/en unknown
- 2010-10-28 AR ARP100103982A patent/AR079105A1/en unknown
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
ITMI20091888A1 (en) | 2011-04-30 |
US20110100149A1 (en) | 2011-05-05 |
ES2453044T3 (en) | 2014-04-03 |
MX2010011702A (en) | 2011-04-28 |
IT1396378B1 (en) | 2012-11-19 |
AR079105A1 (en) | 2011-12-28 |
CL2010001184A1 (en) | 2011-03-25 |
BRPI1004162A2 (en) | 2013-02-26 |
US8671797B2 (en) | 2014-03-18 |
PL2317165T3 (en) | 2014-05-30 |
EP2317165A1 (en) | 2011-05-04 |
CA2719480A1 (en) | 2011-04-29 |
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